A new updated Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Plan is being launched to celebrate National Red Squirrel Week, which begins today (Monday).
American grey squirrels were first imported into the United Kingdom in 1876 as an ornamental species at various stately homes and now colonise most of the country. However, they are invasive and their rise has been at the expense of the red squirrel.
Despite this, the Isle of Wight remains a stronghold for the Red Squirrel, which also survives in some other parts of the country. Different groups in different areas have their own strategies for the protection of the species, which generally involve the physical removal of greys and conserving the remaining reds. Being an Island the plan jhere is simpler. As no grey squirrels reside on the Island, aside from ensuring they stay away, experts can concentrate on giving the reds the habitat they need to flourish.
The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Forum, which consists of landowners, charities and representatives from local environment-based organisations, meets annually to discuss conserving the red squirrel and to agree the local strategy needed to achieve this.
The new updated strategy, which was agreed by the Forum earlier this year, will gain increased strength through being linked to the new Local Nature Recovery Strategy which is currently in development and, as the name suggests, aims to recover nature and improve the wider natural environment.
Helen Butler MBE, Chair of The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Forum, has said:
“It is very important for us to have a plan and for relevant local bodies involved in the management and oversight of our environment to accept and support it. Red Squirrels are an important and very much loved part of our native natural environment and, through this strategy, we will seek to ensure that they continue to thrive on the Island.
“We are particularly grateful for the support received through the Isle of Wight Council for the work we are promoting and, in particular, for the support of Councillor Jonathan Bacon who is now a member of the Forum.”
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Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Biosphere, adds:
“The Red Squirrel is a hugely important part of our native natural environment, as well as being seen by many as a symbol of the Isle of Wight and our rich local nature. I wholeheartedly support the new Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Plan and I am particularly pleased that we are going to be able to support the work that Helen and the Forum seek to do through the developing Local Nature Recovery Strategy.”
Nationally, the picture is very positive for the red squirrel with numbers remaining stable. It’s said that the 2023 breeding season was successful.
Across the UK there are an estimated 280,000 red squirrels, compared to 2.7 million non-native greys. The estimated red squirrel population in England is 29,500.
Vanessa Fawcett, campaign director of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust, says:
“We have a growing band of volunteers who work tirelessly to help our only native squirrel, and their efforts are starting to show signs of success.
“We continue to face an uphill battle against the grey squirrels, many of which carry a pox that is harmless to them but fatal to the reds. It is, however, delightful to be able to report positive news.
“We are slowly moving towards a grey squirrel fertility control programme that, when fully launched, will see their numbers naturally decrease, allowing reds to recolonise their former territories, currently occupied by greys. Small, controlled trials are currently underway in England and early reports are positive.”
We should be doing everything we can to protect and support our red squirrel population on the Isle of Wight.
These little things are fantastic to watch
We have them in our garden a few tumes a week munching from the feed box i made
And love to see them taking our cob nuts
No thanks to most of the IW farmers who contribute nothing to wildlife encouragement or Island Roads who cut down trees without checking if used not just as nesting sites but as transport links over obstacle’s. IWC can do something about this by telling Island Roads to change tactic. There is no hope for farmers until a generation of handout scroungers retire and they learn to farm.with respect for the nevironment.
We must ensure no grey squirrel comes accross to Yarmouth from Lymington on the ferry which has been known in the past when a lorry has stopped in the New Forest.
One of creators cutest thanks to all who are trying to protect them
Evolution, not the work of a “creator”.
We need an up-to-date red squirrel map of the Isle of Wight!
Then we could all see where we need to work on planting more hazelnut trees to connect up good squirrel habits!